The definitive answer is that this is a large expansion that does not come with a carrying case and is slated for a late November release. The carrying case, according to what I heard at GenCon, is tabled, and the expansion is not released as the carrying case. So, from your post, it looks like you'll be neither buying it nor waiting to pre-order it.

When the carry case comes out, it won't contain the Air pack with it. They were once supposed to be included in the same xpansion but now they will be 2 separate ones.

I belive both the interview and the original blog stated they would still have a carry case - not that it is dropped forever. But instead of a hard pastic/cardboard case - it is supposed to be a canvas bag - maybe more like carry-on luggage.

P.S.: In case you’re still wondering… No, the carrying case is not dead, but has considerably changed in scope and design. It’s now a Campaign Bag, a well-weathered prototype of which recently traveled from Toulouse to Hong Kong via Amsterdam and London, on to San Francisco, Cancun, and finally back to Paris! Details will follow in an upcoming entry on this blog.

P.S.: In case you’re still wondering… No, the carrying case is not dead, but has considerably changed in scope and design. It’s now a Campaign Bag, a well-weathered prototype of which recently traveled from Toulouse to Hong Kong via Amsterdam and London, on to San Francisco, Cancun, and finally back to Paris! Details will follow in an upcoming entry on this blog.

I suspect the delay might have something to do with the fact that DoW currently has TWO game systems very much in need of some type of carrying case.

The original M44 case was supposed to include the air units... so why not just spin off any game-specific items attached to the case, and design it so that you can use it for either M44 or BattleLore? Makes perfect sense and would explain the delay.

Plus, they'd be able to sell twice as many, making it far more feasible!

I will be very surprised if the campaign case is not designed to work for both BattleLore and M44. DoW's a smart company with great design sense. I don't even own M44, but I fully expect to use campaign case for BL.

I suspect the delay might have something to do with the fact that DoW currently has TWO game systems very much in need of some type of carrying case.

Obviously it hasn't made it easier for DoW that Battlelore has turned out to be a huge success

I personally find it a bit silly when DoW acts surprised at how well the game has sold. It's obvious from their original plans to release mini-expansions that they expected BattleLore to be big -- you don't plan on a zillion expansions unless you have some basis in reality that they will not sit on shelves.

Simply based on the history of the C&C series, they had no reason not to think it wouldn't be a hit. Now, I'll grant that it may have sold better than their business plan had taken into account, but I would expect that to be a bit conservative anyway (in this hobby, it seems far better to have to reprint immediately than to be saddled with unsellable inventory).

Not that I'm unhappy with BattleLore! I love the game and I will happily buy the expansions. It's just I can't help but giggle when I hear them talk about how surprised they are.

What do "we" prefer ? a bag or a new expansion ? For me , a new expansion, surely ! I can carry my pieces anywhere I want . But an expansion improves the core game and it is much more fun to have/buy. They are on the right track.

This carrying case is tremendously delayed , and I dont care if they delay it for one decade more.

The Air pack is much more important than ( as already said) a bag with Memoir logo .